Another example of power of ‘corrupt unions?’

Posted
Tuesday, May 1, 2012 1:00 pm

To the Editor:

How many times have you come upon a construction site or a National Grid truck to observe a local policeman or a state trooper standing at the site or sitting in the patrol vehicle doing nothing?What intelligent purpose is the officer there – in case of an accident? That doesn’t make any sense. The only person it makes sense to is the officer on detail making $35 to $45 per hour (depending on the city or town) to do nothing. A battery-operated blinking light could be used at the site to show caution to the oncoming traffic. In this year of 2012, probably eight out of 10 people carry a cell phone that could be used to call 911 in case of emergency.This is just another example of the unreasonable power of the corrupt unions to most likely demand this wasteful unnecessary costly expense. In these difficult times of the everyday citizen trying to make ends meet, wouldn’t it be nice for a change to make such good money doing nothing? The average household is a non-profit entity – taxes and expenses make it that way.

Comments

My buddy Shaun is a cop and he says its because there are too many nitwit drivers who'd run over people if there wasn't a cop there, someone they legally have to obey, unlike a contruction worker directing traffic. He said drivers barely slow down and obey the rules for him so imagine if a cop was not there. What about kids walking to and from school near construction? Workers are too busy doing there thing to pay attention to traffic and pedestrians. Shaun says he works a lot of these jobs but he's taking mother day off.

"In this year of 2012, probably eight out of 10 people carry a cell phone that could be used to call 911 in case of emergency." Isn't the point to avoid an emergency/accident? Are you suggesting that cell phone armed citizens replace the police department? And who would they call? Let me guess the "corrupt unions".

They also stop and direct traffic to expedite the safe passage of other emergency vehicles through construction zones. Often times these zones are one lanes or around blind bends. They also cause traffic back up where vehicles have no room to yield to emergency apparatus. The police direct and stop traffic to create a path a swift and safe passage for cruisers, fire trucks and rescues. Also, keep in mind several Warwick officers have been killed while directing traffic in past years not to mention the hundreds of road crew workers who are killed annually in the us at zones like these. It's not a corrupt money grab by unions but I guess some people don't let facts inform their opinion.

I have the utmost respect for most people who comment on these pages but I have to point out to Mr. John Marotto that as has been said the officer

who is working at the construction site has the responsibility to keep the traffic flowing in both directions and he/she is hired to help direct the heavy equiptment around the site by slowing down traffic and in some cases detouring it in the most convenient direction as not to jeopardize the residents

welfare in that area.Unbeknown to most citizens.... the officers working details ( as they are called ) are not paid by the city but by the contractor. There are times however,when they are called upon to work for the city, for example at: schools, city functions, city parks, etc., etc.,and they are not paid $ 35-45 per hour but at a much lower salary. If an officer is sitting in his car when traffic is heavy and not performing his duties and is observed by the roving Sergeant he is reprimanded and may not ever get another detail. Yet, as human nature will have it, there still are those who will take advantage of any opportunity to goof off.